US3693517A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Printing apparatus Download PDF

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US3693517A
US3693517A US887666A US3693517DA US3693517A US 3693517 A US3693517 A US 3693517A US 887666 A US887666 A US 887666A US 3693517D A US3693517D A US 3693517DA US 3693517 A US3693517 A US 3693517A
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Prior art keywords
character patterns
radiation
emissive elements
character
rotation
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US887666A
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Harold E Clark
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Xerox Corp
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Xerox Corp
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/22—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20
    • G03G15/32—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20 in which the charge pattern is formed dotwise, e.g. by a thermal head
    • G03G15/326—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20 in which the charge pattern is formed dotwise, e.g. by a thermal head by application of light, e.g. using a LED array
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
    • G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
    • G06K15/12—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers by photographic printing, e.g. by laser printers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/04—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for exposing, i.e. imagewise exposure by optically projecting the original image on a photoconductive recording material
    • G03G15/043—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for exposing, i.e. imagewise exposure by optically projecting the original image on a photoconductive recording material with means for controlling illumination or exposure
    • G03G15/0435—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for exposing, i.e. imagewise exposure by optically projecting the original image on a photoconductive recording material with means for controlling illumination or exposure by introducing an optical element in the optical path, e.g. a filter

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Printing methods and the apparatus therefor are propatterns are adapted to move relative to the source so that radiation modulated by predetermined ones of the character patterns is selectively applied to a plurality of input paths of an optical positioning means.
  • the optical positioning means includes optical tunnel means which acts to position radiation received at any of a plurality of input paths thereto to a single output location.
  • Photoreceptor means is located at the output location of the optical positioning means whereupon modulated radiation applied to any of the input paths of the optical positioning means is communicated to and imaged upon such photoreceptor means. The photoreceptor means thereby receives modulated radiation corresponding to selected character patterns.
  • photoreceptor-means may then be developed and the images present thereon transferred to print receiving means.
  • impact printers In the printing arts, the two major categories of printing apparatus that have been developed may be classified as impact printers and photoprinters.
  • Conventional impact printers require hammer means to strike a selected character embodied in a character matrix, which selected character is forced into contact with a recording medium, thereby printing a character.
  • Impact printing techniques are exemplified by slow speed, shock and vibration caused by hammer movement, and excessive wear on the mechanical components.
  • Each character pattern may be a member of a font of type in stencil form mounted on a carrier.
  • the carrier may be a rotating drum or disk. As the carrier rotates, each character pattern successively passes between the light emissive elements and the photosensitive medium. If the carrier is a drum, the light emissive elements may be placed within the drum in a stationary position and flashed by a control device as the desired character pattern passes before it.
  • the control device may be a conventional typewriter keyboard, recording tape, punch card, etc.
  • each character pattern is recorded on a photosensitive medium, such as a galley film
  • the medium is advanced onecharacter width, resulting in a linear photographic record of the type composition.
  • the font may be mounted on the carrier on a single strip, such as a single circumferential strip for a drum, or a single radial strip for a disk. This results in a large circumference and requires a high speed of rotation of the carrier for efficient photoprinting. The high rotation speed presents problems in synchronizing the flashing light emissive elements to the movement of the photosensitive medium and rotation of the carrier.
  • the rotational velocity of the carrier may be reduced without affecting the efiiciency of photoprinting by mounting the font on the carrier as a plurality of strips at spaced lateral positions on the circumference of a drum, or at discrete radial positions on a disk.
  • the location of the character patterns on different strips mounted on the carrier requires a proper positioning between the photosensitive medium, the optical focusing means, the light emissive elements, and the character patterns themselves, in order to obtain proper alignment of the recorded character patterns.
  • Some prior art devices employ fixed optical focusing means, a fixed photosensitive medium and a single fixed light emissive element.
  • the font is mounted on a plurality of parallel circumferential strips affixed to a surface of a drum, and the drum is laterally displaced in a direction parallel to its central axis so as to place the proper character pattern on the corresponding circumferential strip into the correct position with respect to the light emissive element and optical focusing means.
  • the aforementioned photoprinting systems record character patterns on a photosensitive medium that is formed into a strip whose width is equal to the height of the largest character patterns.
  • the character patterns are recorded serially and one character pattern is generally recorded for every rotation of the carrier.
  • Other conventional high speed photoprinting devices record character patterns on a photosensitive medium formed into a strip whose width is equal to the width of a printed page.
  • the character patterns are recorded by these conventional devices a line at a time and an entire line of character patterns is recorded for every rotation of the carrier.
  • the carrier may be a drum upon which are mounted 80 identical circumferential strips, each strip containing a complete character font.
  • each such character font and included within the drum, is a light emissive element that is energized when the proper character pattern is brought into alignment therewith as the drum rotates.
  • a separate optical focusing means is positioned between each strip mounted on the drum and the photosensitive medium. As each line of character patterns passes between the light emissive elements and the optical focusing means, selected ones of the light emissive elements are energized when the character pattern aligned in the optical path constitutes the character pattern desired to be imaged upon the photosensitive element. For example, if a row of the letter e" is rotated into position, light emissive elements will be energized whose positions correspond to those where an e is to appear on that line.
  • ,It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods of and the apparatus for printing at high speeds wherein the density of character patterns on a movable carrier is substantially increased.
  • high speed printing methods and the apparatus therefor are provided wherein an array of character patterns is moved relative to a source of radiant energy such that when the source is selectively actuated, radiant energy is applied through a selected character pattern, modulated thereby and such modulated radiant energy is further communicated to one of several input paths of an optical tunnel means; the optical tunnel means acts to image radiation received at any of the input paths thereto at a singular predetermined output location thereof; photoreceptive means are positioned at such predetermined output location whereby the radiation received thereat may be developed and transferred to print receiving means.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the imaging portion of the printing apparatus according to this invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of printing apparatus according to the present invention adapted to illustrate the inventive methods set forth herein.
  • carrier means 1 is adapted to have mounted thereon or otherwise receive a plurality of character patterns in the form of strips or similar presentations of character patterns such as the character patterns of an entire character font, and to move the character patterns relative to radiant energy source 13.
  • carrier means I is shown as a rotatable drum; however, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the carrier means 1 may also take the form of a disk, an endless belt, or other character-transport means capable of receiving a plurality of character patterns.
  • the character patterns carried by carrier means 1 may be arranged in an array of rows and columns and may comprise the individual characters of an entire character font.
  • the characters may be etched onto the surface of carrier means 1, or, as shown in FIG. 1, may be formed of a plurality of strips, 111-115 wherein each strip comprises a column of character patterns, and the columns are aligned such that a plurality of rows of character patterns appears about the surface of carrier means 1.
  • five strips 111-115, each bearing a separate portion of an entire character font are mounted on the circumference of carrier means 1, and the characters are aligned in horizontal rows as shown.
  • the invention is not limited to a single character font, and the strips of character patterns 111-115 mounted on carrier means 1, or the character patterns that may be etched on the surface of carrier means 1, may comprise a plurality of fonts.
  • the number of columns of character patterns shown in FIG. 1 are for the sole purpose of illustration of the present invention and hence should not be considered as limited to an arbitrary number of columns.
  • the preferred embodiment of the present invention between five and nine columns of character patterns are to be mounted on carrier means 1.
  • the character patterns of the character font may be selected as opaque patterns on a translucent medium or translucent stencilled patterns on an opaque medium, depending upon the choice of application of the apparatus of the present invention which will be subsequently described. In either event, carrier means 1 should be capable of modulating radiant energy passing therethrough.
  • carrier means 1 is adapted to be rotated.
  • a motor 15 is mechanically coupled to carrier means 1 by shaft 16.
  • Motor 15 should be capable of continuous, steady-state operation so that carrier means 1 rotates at a constant velocity.
  • Motor 15 may be an ac or d.c. electric motor. In the preferred embodiment, motor 15 rotates carrier means 1 at between and 300 revolutions per second.
  • shaft 16 is not the exclusive mechanical coupling device contemplated, and may be replaced by a pulley system, frictional disk, or other mechanical coupling means.
  • the source of radiant energy 13 may comprise a plurality of conventional light emissive elements 131-135.
  • each light emissive element 131-135 of the source of radiant energy 13 is physically aligned with a single column or strip of character patterns 111-115 and is disposed in the interior of the carrier means 1 along the central axis thereof so as to transmit radiant energy emanating therefrom through the character patterns mounted on the carrier means 1.
  • Light emissive elements 131-135 are designed to produce a burst of high intensity, short duration radiation when energized so that when the image formed by such radiation after the modulation thereof by a given character pattern is ultimately developed, the image obtained will not be blurred and will exhibit high resolution.
  • each of the light emissive elements 131-135 may comprise a gaseous discharge device such as a xenon flash tube, or an arc unit comprised of arcing electrodes.
  • light emissive elements 131-135 may comprise conventional illumination lamps shielded by mechanical shutter means. The choice of light emissive elements 131-135 forms no part of the present invention per se.
  • Control circuitry 17 which acts to cause the selective energization of the various light emissive elements 131-135 therein.
  • Control circuitry 17 may comprise conventional counting and logic gating circuitry to synchronize the flashing of light emissive elements 131-135 to the rotation of carrier means 1. Such circuitry may be entirely conventional and generally the exact nature of the circuitry employed will be a function of the apparatus supplying data to the printing apparatus of the present invention.
  • control circuitry 17 functions to actuate a selected light emissive element 131-135 when a desired character pattern in the column 111-115 associated with that element rotates into the proper position.
  • Control circuitry 17 may, in turn, be controlled by peripheral data signal generators such as a typewriter keyboard, not shown, or punched cards containing data information, information recorded on paper or magnetic tape, or directly by the output of a digital computer.
  • peripheral data signal generators such as a typewriter keyboard, not shown, or punched cards containing data information, information recorded on paper or magnetic tape, or directly by the output of a digital computer.
  • control circuitry 17 may include still further circuitry that is well known in the prior art to allow for backspacing, corrections, and/or other convenient functions.
  • Optical tunnel positioning means 7 includes lens 14 and two parallel planar reflecting surfaces 18 and 19.
  • the planes defined by surfaces 18 and 19 are perpendicular to the axis of rotation of carrier means 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • Lens 14 is disposed at the input end of the parallel reflecting surfaces 18 and 19, and the optical axis thereof is longitudinally disposed intermediate the two surfaces.
  • Reflecting surfaces 18 and 19 may be conventional planar mirrors each having a longitudinal dimension equal to the focal length of lens 14 so as to permit multiple reflections of radiant energy focused thereon by lens M and each having width equal to at least the height of a character pattern.
  • optical tunnel positioning means 7 are disposed such that radiant energy transmitted to the surface of lens 14 over any of a plurality of optical paths may be refracted by lens 14 onto either planar reflecting surface 18 or 19, depending upon the angle of incidence of the radiant energy passing through lens 14, and reflected by surfaces 18 and 19 onto a single, predetermined area positioned at the focal plane of lens 14, hereinafter referred to as the imaging position.
  • the precise dimensions of the components of the optical tunnel positioning means are determined by the known optical principles used to design optical tunnels.
  • control circuitry 17 tracks the characters carried on the surface of carrier means 1 in the well known manner so that the location of each character is known at all times.
  • data signals are generated by peripheral data equipment (not shown herein) connected to the control circuitry 17, the control circuitry 17 synchronously actuates one of the light emissive elements 131-135 when the character selected by the peripheral data equipment rotates into the proper position.
  • peripheral data equipment not shown herein
  • control circuitry 17 actuates light emissive element when carrier means 1 rotates into the position shown in FIG. 1.
  • the actuation of light emissive element 135 results in the emanation of high intensity, short duration radiation from the light emissive element 135 through the character pattern B which has been rotated into a plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation of radiation emitted by element 135.
  • the radiation emitted from the light emissive element 135 is thus modulated by the character pattern corresponding to the letter B as it propagates radially outward from carrier means 1.
  • control circuitry 17 actuates light emissive element 134 to produce the emission of high intensity, short duration radiation when carrier means 1 rotates into the position shown in FIG. 1.
  • the radiation emitted by light emissive element 134 will be modulated by the character pattern corresponding to the mirror image of letter E as it propagates through the carrier means 1. The purpose for reversing the character pattern for the letter B is subsequently explained.
  • Control circuitry 17 actuates only one of the light emissive elements 131-135 for each rotation of carrier means 1 so that modulated radiation corresponding to one character pattern is propagated for each rotation.
  • carrier means 1 rotates at 300 revolutions per second modulated radiation corresponding to 300 character patterns per second is propagated.
  • the duration of the radiation emitted by each element 131-135 is extremely short in comparison to the velocity of carrier means 1 so that the imaged radiation corresponding to the selected character patterns that are ultimately received and developed will be sharply defined, high resolution images.
  • the modulated radiation propagated radially outward from the surface of carrier means 1 will traverse an optical path, as indicated in FIG. 1, calculated to cause such radiation to impinge upon the surface of lens 14 of optical tunnel positioning means 7.
  • the radiation emitted from each light emissive elements 131-135 will not traverse the same optical path.
  • the relame positions of the light emissive elements 131-135 with respect to the lens 14 are fixed, radiant energy will propagate towards lens 14 over one offive independent paths for the embodiment shown, which five independent paths are associated with the light emissive elements 131-135.
  • lens 14 may refract such radiation toward either reflecting surface 18 or reflecting surface 19.
  • radiation emitted from light emissive elements 134 and 132 will propagate through columns 114 and 112 respectively, and be refracted by lens 14 onto reflecting surfaces 19 and 18 respectively, from which reflecting surfaces the radiation will be reflected onto the imaging position.
  • Radiation emitted from light emissive element 133 will propagate through column 113 in a plane perpendicular to the focal plane of lens 14 so that it will be transmitted directly to the imaging position.
  • radiation emitted from one of light emissive elements 131435 will be subject to a number of reflections equal to the relative lateral position of the light emissive element with respect to the optical axis of lens 14.
  • a light emissive element that is two positions removed from the optical axis emits radiation that is reflected twice; a light emissive element that is one position removed from the optical axis emits radiation that is reflected once; and a light emissive element that is on the optical axis emits radiation that is not reflected.
  • those character patterns through which radiation subject to an odd number of reflections is propagated are represented by their mirror images so that the images of all character patterns communicated to the imaging position will appear in the proper perspective.
  • the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 comprises an imaging portion, as was described in detail in conjunction with FIG. 1, photoreceptor means 20, developing means 27 and transfer means 32.
  • Photoreceptor means 20 may take the form of an electrophotographic plate comprising a photoconductive insulating body 21 overlying a conductive backing member 22.
  • the photoconductive insulating body 21 is adapted, in the well known manner, to have an electrostatic charge applied to its surface and to selectively dissipate such electrostatic charge upon the exposure thereof to modulated radiation corresponding to a light and dark pattern, such as a character pattern, whereupon a latent image of such pattern is formed.
  • the electrophotographic plate 20 may comprise, for example, a layer of selenium overlying conductive backing member 22.
  • electrophotographic plate 20 is an an endless belt which is deployed around drive rollers 23 and 24.
  • the endless belt electrophotographic plate 20 has a width equal to at least the largest character in the character pattern array carried by carrier means 1.
  • the electrophotographic plate 20 is not limited to the endless belt configuration shown in FIG. 2, but may take any convenient form such as a drum or web.
  • the conductive backing member 22 may be placed at ground potential by applying ground to drive roller 23 which is in direct contact therewith. In the endless belt configuration illustrated in FIG.
  • electrophotographic plate 20 is translated in the direction indicated by arrow A by the drive rollers 23 and 24. Electrophotographic plate 20 is adapted to be translated to a cleaning station 31, for a purpose subsequently described, and to charging unit 26.
  • Cleaning station 31 may be of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,751,616 issued to M.I. Turner, Jr., et al.
  • the electrostatic charge applied to the surface of electrophotographic plate 20 may be deposited thereon by charging unit 26 which is electrically connected to a high voltage source 25.
  • charging unit 26 may comprise a corona discharge device of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,777,957 issued to LE. Walkup.
  • Developing means 27 may comprise any well known form of electrophotographic developing apparatus which acts to develop an electrostatic latent image by the application of electroscopic material capable of adhering to the electrostatic charge pattern on are electrophotographic plate.
  • the nature and composition of electroscopic material is well known in the art as is the manner in which an electrostatic latent image is treated with such material. A more complete description thereof may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,885,955 issued to R.G. Vyverberg.
  • developing means 27 may include means, if desired, whereby the polarity of an electrostatic latent image may be changed so that the image may be directly developed to form an electrophotographic print corresponding to a photographic reversal of the original exposure.
  • Such means is well known and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,817,765 issued to R.E. Hayford et al.
  • Transfer means 32 comprises a print receiving sur' face 28 shown in a drum configuration and positioned so that a surface portion thereof is contiguous with a portion of electrophotographic plate 20.
  • Print receiving surface 28 may be paper, glass, plastic or any surface upon which it is desired to print characters.
  • Developed images are transferred print receiving surface 28 from electrophotographic plate 20 in a well known manner.
  • a charging device such as corona discharge device 30, may deposit a charge on the back of print receiving surface 28 which is of the same polarity as the charge on electrophotographic plate and is also opposite in polarity to the charge on the electroscopic material utilized in developing the electrostatic latent image.
  • the charge on print receiving surface 28 removes the electroscopic material from electrophotographic plate 20 and onto print receiving surface 28 in the well known manner.
  • Transfer means 32 may alternatively comprise a print receiving surface 28 that is adhesive to the electroscopic material. Once the electroscopic material is transferred to print receiving surface 28, it may be fixed by passing print receiving surface 28 through a heating chamber not shown, whereby the electroscopic material is fused to the surface 28.
  • the print receiving surface 28 is illustrated in a drum configuration, it should be clearly un derstood that the drum does not close upon itself and a gap exists between the end portions of print receiving surface 28 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The purpose of this gap will be subsequently explained.
  • the drive rollers 23 and 24 translate electrophotographic plate 20 in the direction indicated by arrow A in a well known manner.
  • electrophotographic plate 20 passes beneath charging unit 26, a uniform electrostatic charge is deposited on photoconductive insulating body 21.
  • the charged electrophotographic plate 20 is translated to a location facing the output of optical tunnel means 7 as shown in FIG. 2.
  • electrophotographic plate 20 coincides with the focal plane of lens 14- or the imaging position of optical tunnel means 7 and is exposed to the modulated radiation imaged thereat by optical tunnel means 7 in the manner described above with respect to the imaging portion of the present invention described in conjunction with FIG. 1.
  • Exposure of the charged plate 20 selectively dissipates the charge thereon in accordance with the modulated radiation corresponding to the light and dark portions of the character pattern resulting in an electrostatic latent image of the character pattern through which the radiant energy was transmitted. If the character pattern carried by carrier means 1 is in the form of an opaque character on a translucent background, the charge remaining on plate 20 after exposure will be a positive latent image of the character pattern. If, however, the character pattern carried by carrier means I is stencilled i.e., a transparent image on an opaque background, the charge on plate 20 will be a negative latent image of the character pattern. It is understood that the terms positive and negative are here used in their photographic sense. It
  • the translation of electrophotographic plate 20 in the direction of arrow A which is perpendicular to the planes defined by reflecting surfaces 18 and 19, may be continuous or step-wise. In either case, the distance translated intermittent each discrete energization of one of the light emissive elements 131435 is equal to the width of one character pattern so that the electrostatic latent images on electrophotographic plate 20 will be properly spaced with respect to each other. If, however, the translation of electrophotographic plate 20 is stepped, spaces may be skipped for indentations, tabulation, and ends of lines. Thus, electrostatic latent images of the desired character patterns carried by carrier means 1 are serially recorded on electrophotographic plate 20.
  • electrostatic latent images are developed to form visible images by well known treatment with electroscopic material.
  • developing means 27 may include additional means to reverse the images developed thereby.
  • a negative electrostatic latent image may be developed to form a positive visible image or the converse relationship may be achieved.
  • the developed image is transferred to print receiving surface 28 when electrophotographic plate 20 reaches transfer means 32.
  • the electroscopic material is then transferred to print receiving surface 28 by electrostatic transfer, adhesive transfer, or other conventional electrophotographic transfer techniques.
  • the electrostatic latent image may alternatively be transferred directly to print receiving surface 28 from electrophotographic plate 20 without the intermediate step of developing the image. If the electrostatic latent image is transferred directly it is developed on print receiving surface 28 by well known techniques similar to those with which the latent image on electrophotographic plate 20 is developed.
  • the rotation of print receiving surface 28 is synchronized with the translation of electrophotographic plate 20; and during one rotation of said print receiving surface 28, a line of characters recorded on electrophotographic plate 20 is transferred to print receiving surface 28.
  • Print receiving surface 28 is advanced by additional means, not shown, in a direction parallel to its axis of rotation for a distance equal to the height of a line of printed characters when the gap between the end portions thereof rotates into the vicinity of electrophotographic plate 20. This permits a new line of characters to be recorded on print receiving surface 28 in the aforedescribed manner.
  • the images of the characters serially recorded on electrophotographic plate 20 in line configuration are transferred to print receiving surface 28 in page configuration.
  • the gap between the end portions of print receiving surface 28 permits the surface to be advanced as aforesaid without interfering with electrophotographic plate 20.
  • plate 20 is translated to cleaning station 31, where any electroscopic material adhering to plate 20 is removed and electrophotographic plate 20 is prepared for re-use in a well known and conventional manner as described in US. Pat. No. 2,751,616.
  • electrophotographic plate 20 may be of length equal to one line of printed characters whereby the cycle of electrically charging the plate, exposing it to radiant energy, developing the latent image, transfering the image to print receiving surface 28 and cleaning the plate is repeated for each line recorded; or electrophotographic plate 20 may be of any desired length that satisfactorily carries out the above mentioned operations.
  • the width of electrophotographic plate 20 may be greater than the height of one character pattern.
  • the width of. the electrophotographic plate 20 may be equal to the width of print receiving surface 28.
  • carrier means 1 may be positioned such that its central axis of rotation is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 2.
  • a scanning optical means such as a conventional rotating or traveling mirror may be located at the imaging position of optical tunnel means 7 so that the modulated radiation positioned thereon is scanned across the width of electrophotographic plate 20 thereby depositing a line of latent images of characters on electrophotographic plate 20. Accordingly, the individual characters are serially recorded to form parallel lines of latent images.
  • each line of character is transferred to print receiving surface 28 as aforesaid. Since an entire page is printed for each rotation of print receiving surface 28, print receiving surface 28 need not be advanced in a direction parallel to its axis of rotation subsequent to each rotation thereof.
  • the imaging portion of the present invention may be modified by positioning radiant energy source 13 externally of the carrier means 1 shown in FIG. 1. In this position, radiant energy may be propagated toward the character patterns carried by carrier means 1 and reflected therefrom into the optical path defined by the optical tunnel means 7.
  • loops may be formed in various positions along the length of belt 20 to compensate, if necessary, for intermittent and continuous motion, or for any of the purpose.
  • said means for modulating including a plurality of character patterns associated with each ofsaid plurality of said selectively energizable radiation emissive elements, each of said plurality of character pattern means being rotatably positionable in an optical path associated with a radiation emissive element;
  • At least two parallel planar reflecting surfaces disposed in a spaced apart relationship, said at least two parallel planar reflecting surfaces defining a plurality of multiple reflection light paths therebetween;
  • lens means including a plurality of radiation receiv ing paths interposed between said means for modulating and said at leat two parallel planar reflecting surfaces, each of said plurality of radiation receiving paths being in light communication with one of said plurality of selectively energizable radiation emissive elements and a corresponding one of said plurality of multiple reflection light paths;
  • a movable belt of photoconductive insulating means having a width equal to at least the height of the largest of said character patterns and disposed in tangential relationship with the focal plane of said lens means, said belt adapted to have a charge deposited thereon, and to have said charge dissipated by said modulated radiant energy communicated to said belt from said at least two parallel planar reflecting surfaces to form electrostatic latent images of said character patterns;
  • Apparatus for printing desired character patterns on a surface in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for modulating comprises:
  • rotatable drum means having thereon a plurality of columns of character patterns, each of said columns including one of said associated plurality of character patterns and adapted to interpose one of said character patterns in said associated optical path due to the rotation of said drum means;
  • Apparatus for printing desired character patterns on a surface in accordance with claim 2 wherein said lens means and said planar reflecting surfaces are disposed in optical tunnel configuration for positioning at the focal plane of said lens means radiation received at said plurality of radiation receiving paths.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combination Of More Than One Step In Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Printers Or Recording Devices Using Electromagnetic And Radiation Means (AREA)
US887666A 1969-12-23 1969-12-23 Printing apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3693517A (en)

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Cited By (8)

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US3824604A (en) * 1972-10-12 1974-07-16 E Stein Alphanumeric printing system employing liquid crystal matrix
US4014031A (en) * 1975-03-28 1977-03-22 Sakata Shokai Ltd. Electrophotographic typesetting method and apparatus therefor
US4226514A (en) * 1979-09-04 1980-10-07 Anfilov Igor V Electrographic photocomposing machine
US4257701A (en) * 1974-09-11 1981-03-24 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image information recording apparatus
US4291971A (en) * 1979-09-04 1981-09-29 Anfilov Igor V Electrographic photocomposing machine
US6315475B1 (en) * 1999-11-22 2001-11-13 Xerox Corporation Drive belt system arranged for reducing arcing
US6467605B1 (en) 1971-04-16 2002-10-22 Texas Instruments Incorporated Process of manufacturing
US20100304067A1 (en) * 2007-09-14 2010-12-02 Basf Se Transparent, tough and rigid molding compositions based on styrene-butadiene block copolymer mixtures

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US3261284A (en) * 1962-03-26 1966-07-19 Ibm Non-impact electrostatic printer
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US6467605B1 (en) 1971-04-16 2002-10-22 Texas Instruments Incorporated Process of manufacturing
US3824604A (en) * 1972-10-12 1974-07-16 E Stein Alphanumeric printing system employing liquid crystal matrix
US4257701A (en) * 1974-09-11 1981-03-24 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image information recording apparatus
US4448513A (en) * 1974-09-11 1984-05-15 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image information recording apparatus
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US4226514A (en) * 1979-09-04 1980-10-07 Anfilov Igor V Electrographic photocomposing machine
US4291971A (en) * 1979-09-04 1981-09-29 Anfilov Igor V Electrographic photocomposing machine
US6315475B1 (en) * 1999-11-22 2001-11-13 Xerox Corporation Drive belt system arranged for reducing arcing
US20100304067A1 (en) * 2007-09-14 2010-12-02 Basf Se Transparent, tough and rigid molding compositions based on styrene-butadiene block copolymer mixtures

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2063213A1 (de) 1971-07-01
CA948265A (en) 1974-05-28
GB1330327A (en) 1973-09-19

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